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Building Trust
l He
a lt h
Informing Families
A Partnership for Better Communication
on Developmental Disability Issues in Washington State
DSM-5: Defining Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability
or
cial Funct
So
f Behavi
so
fter changes to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) were made
last spring, a shift is taking place in the way individuals with mental health and intellectual/
developmental disabilities are now diagnosed.
One of the biggest differences is the focus on adaptive functioning, which puts a spotlight on
the individual’s ability to function in daily life. The purpose is to make diagnosing a more useful
tool in developing a treatment plan. Below are some important changes to Neurodevelopmental
Disorders, which now include:
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
ÜÜ People who experience a level of severity in both areas of:
(1) Persistent deficits in social communication and social
DSM-5 (NEW)
DSM-4-TR (OLD)
interaction across contexts; AND
Austism Spectrum
Pervasive Developmental
(2) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.
Disorder
Disorder
ÜÜ Diagnosis will include a severity level in both major areas
•Autistic Disorder
Patter
of impairment.
ing
n
ion
•Asperger’s Disorder
ÜÜ Diagnosis is no longer limited to before age 3.
•Pervasive developmental
ASD
Disorder, NOS
ÜÜ Individuals may qualify for a diagnosis of ASD, regardless
•Childhood Disintegrative
of IQ level.
Disorder
ÜÜ The diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder has been removed,
but the people with this diagnosis may still qualify under
the single diagnosis of ASD.
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
ÜÜ Name changed from Mental Retardation.
ÜÜ Diagnosis emphasizes the need for both assessment of
CI
functioning and standardized testing of intelligence.
O
T
CEP
N
PRACTICAL
ÜÜ Diagnosis is based on the level of adaptive functioning
O
C
in three domains: social, conceptual, and practical skills.
ÜÜ The severity of impairment is based on adaptive functioning
rather than IQ test scores alone. An IQ test will still be
administered, but it is not central to the diagnosis.
UAL
L
S
A
CHANGES TO DDA ELIGIBILITY FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISM
This July, DDA expects to revise its eligibility rules related to Autsim. Under the new rules, an applicant
may be considered for DDA eligibility under the condition of autism if they have:
Questions?
Autism Spectrum
Autism 299.00 per
Call your
Disorder 299.00
FSIQ below 85
OR
the DSM-4-TR
DDA Case
per the DSM-5
Resource
If an individual has a DSM-5 diagnosis and a FSIQ of 85 or above, they may present
Manager.
additional evidence that they meet the DSM-4-TR criteria. To help obtain this additional
documentation, DDA will have a process, including a form to be completed by the diagnosing professional.
A Service of the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. For more information, visit: www.informingfamilies.org
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